Chapter 5: UnDead Girl by Stephen Simpson
Genesis gave him a perplexed look. “What are you talking about zombies for? This is serious...”
He laughed a nervous sound. “It may seem funny or
far-fetched, and you cannot be blamed for thinking it can never happen, but it
is something that could happen and something we have to be prepared for, should
it ever happen.”
“I
just want to know what’s happening to me,” Genesis said as she sat down on the
couch opposite her parents. Apprehension and fear twisted her hands together in
her lap.
“We’ve
all seen at least one movie or read a book about zombies, and the rise of
zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea it is possible a zombie
apocalypse could happen. During a study of various scenarios, it was concluded
that zombies would take over entire countries, roaming city streets, eating
anything living in their way. The growth of this idea has led many people,
including scientists, to wonder how the world could prepare for the event of a
zombie apocalypse.”
A tear slid down her cheek, but Genesis did not bother to
wipe it away. “Are you saying... What are you saying?”
He let go of her mum’s hand and walked across the room to
sit next to Genesis. He pulled her hands apart and took one of them in his own.
The mere touch of his warm hand made Genesis feel a little calmer and not so
afraid. Her eyes connected with his dark brown eyes. “Let me explain from the
beginning, so you understand it all clearly.”
Genesis nodded.
“If
zombies did start roaming the streets, the Centres for Disease Control and
Prevention would investigate, the same as with any other outbreak. The CDC
would have to determine the cause of the illness, the source of the infection
or virus, learn how it is transmitted and how readily it is spread, how to
break the cycle of transmission and thus prevent further cases, and how
patients can best be treated. However, even though movies are only fictional it
is a great way to study different disaster scenarios which threaten society, as
a whole. We realised if there is a zombie apocalypse, all these measures would
be too time-consuming to save humanity quick enough. I then decided to leave
the CDC to join a select group of scientists to do our own research, and in
doing so, save the world should there ever be a catastrophe of this nature.”
Genesis lifted her head to look at him directly. “What? I
thought you worked at the CDC. Always have, always will, you always say.”
“That’s
not important right now. Let me explain, because I think we might be running
out of time.”
Genesis felt a fresh flood of worries push up from the pit
of her stomach, but this time it was accompanied by a feeling of hunger.
Her dad continued, “I left the CDC before you were born.
Nicolai, the geneticist who had joined us then successfully gave life to ten
human babies grown entirely in-vitro. When these ten children turned two years
old, they were each given a series of injections, which flipped a genetic
switch in their DNA to make all their organs shut down at a pre-determined
time, although we were unable to establish the exact time and date. We knew it
would ultimately result in death, but the body would remain animated, while
retaining self-awareness and intelligence.”
Genesis looked at her mum and saw her utter despair as she rested her face in her palms. Looking back at the man beside her, she realised she was adopted. Not legally adopted because her real parents did not want her, adopted because she did not even have any parents.
